California's Assembly Bill 3142 — which would have codified the California Center for Climate Change at West Los Angeles College in the Los Angeles Community College District and establish the California Mobile Unit for Climate Change Education — was vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 27, 2024.
In his veto message (PDF), Governor Newsom wrote, "Although establishing and operating the California Mobile Unit for Climate Education is a laudable goal, this bill could create significant Proposition 98 General Fund cost pressures that are not reflected in the state's current fiscal plan. ... For this reason, I cannot sign this bill."
As passed, Assembly Bill 3142 would have amended the state's education code to include a description of the center's mission ("to promote climate change education at the California Community Colleges and establish opportunities for students to engage in hands-on internships and other learning opportunities"), activities, and responsibilities.
The bill would also have established the California Mobile Unit for Climate Change Education to aid the center in its provision of opportunities for students to engage in hands-on internships and the like. Originally a further $1.5 million would have been allocated for the purpose, but the bill was amended to make the allocation conditional on a separate approval by the legislature.
